Robert Inglis Beddoe, 96, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 16, 2012, at Springside of Pittsfield, surrounded by his loving family.
Born November 16, 1916, in Bedford, Indiana, he was the son of George K.
Beddoe and Willa J. Cosner Beddoe. The family lived in Bedford, Indiana; Devon,
Pennsylvania; and Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Bob traveled extensively in his youth,
learning to sail at a summer camp in Norway at age 16. Two years later, he worked for
the Crown Mining Co. in Seward, territory of Alaska.
From elementary through high school, Bob attended 14 different schools,
including the lower school at Haverford School. He graduated from Worcester Academy,
Worcester, Mass., where he wrote for the school newspaper, was captain of his tennis and
soccer teams, and was a low handicap golfer. While Bob attended Worcester, he met Dr.
Goddard, a rocket scientist, who influenced Bob's career path.
During World War II, he worked for Ranger Aircraft in Farmingdale, Long
Island, in the manufacture of aircraft engines for the Navy. He then went to Maryland as
a research associate on rocket development for the office of Scientific Research and
Development.
After the war, Bob had a dairy farm in Sherburne, Vermont, where he also
produced and sold maple syrup. He worked as a production engineer at Howe Scale in
nearby Rutland. In 1951, Bob began his long career with General Electric, beginning in
Burlington, Vt., transferring to Johnson City, N.Y., and retiring from Ordnance Systems
in Pittsfield.
Bob's many and varied interests included sailing, auto racing, alpine skiing,
watercolor painting, and photography.
He was active with the U.S. Power Squadron, serving as commander of the
Berkshire division in 1984, and later at the national level. He spent many years in the
Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). He was a frequent skier at nearby resorts,
including his membership in Jiminy Peak's 80+ Club in Hancock.
Survivors include his beloved wife, Sis Davis Beddoe; two children, Jane B.
Wilcox of Bolton Landing, N.Y. and E. Christine I. Manor of LaGrangeville, N.Y.,
four grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He was predeceased by three brothers,
one sister, and his only son, Robert I. Beddoe, III.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Springside Nursing Home for the excellent
care of Bob at his time there.

FUNERAL NOTICE; There will be no calling hours. The funeral will be at the convenience of the
family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob's memory to the Berkshire
Humane Society in care of DERY FUNERAL HOME, 54 Bradford Street, Pittsfield.

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